Celebrations as students receive ‘outstanding’ results

School principals agreed that it had been another fantastic year for Lisburn pupils.

St Patrick’s Academy were delighted with this year’s performance. “This was another excellent year of GCE results in St Patrick’s Academy with our students maintaining a 100 percent pass rate at A level.

“This, along with outstanding results at AS level, achieved by our largest ever cohort of students at post 16, is testimony to their dedication and the commitment of the staff in the Academy.”

There were also celebrations at Lisnagarvey High School, with Principal Mr Jim Sherrin congratulating his students on their success.

“There was shared delight amongst parents, staff and pupils at the excellent A Level results,” said Mr Sherrin.

“Overall two thirds of all awards in all subjects were in the A-C grade category.

“There was outstanding success for our two highest achievers, Stephanie Philpott and Tara Townsley, who both achieved three A grades.

Excellent

“There were excellent performances in all of our eight A Levels and Moving Image Arts, ICT, Design Technology and Health and Social Care excelled with outstanding results.

“We expect the majority of our students to go on to the university of their choice and wish them all well in their future studies.

“I would like to praise all our students for their hard work and thank all the staff and parents who have been so supportive and encouraging in achieving this success.”

There was also a significant rise in pupils leaving with 3 or more A levels from Laurelhill Community College as Year 14 pupils received A level results.

Mr James Martin, the Principal of Laurelhill Community College said: “It was a year of outstanding academic success for the College as many Sixth Form pupils received well deserved A Level results, which marked the conclusion of two years of intensive teaching and studying.

“Many pupils from the College’s Sixth Form now begin their university education amongst noted universities across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

“Some particular successes this year included Rachel Stewart who achieved an amazing AAB in English Literature and Health and Social Care (Double Award), Rachel Harper who gained an astounding ABB in Art, English Literature and History and Rebecca Irwin who was awarded ABB in Health and Social Care (Double Award) and Art and Design. Our Head Boy, David Preston, after 14 years of continuous school attendance, celebrated with three B’s in Information Technology and Applied Business Studies (Double Award).

“In AS studies in Year 13, Ashleigh McKinstry deserves a special mention, as she achieved A grades in Art and Design, Biology, Geography and a B in English Literature.

“We congratulate and wish all outgoing Laurelhill Sixth form students every success in their new pathways,” he added.

The Principal of Fort Hill Integrated College, Mrs Marian Getty, said there were “real achievements” from her students this year. “As I look at the results for our 6th form students I am looking at them in three broad headings,” she said.

“Results for students who have been pupils in FHC since year 8, results for students who joined Fort Hill College after completing GCSEs in another school and results for students who are part of our collaborative arrangement with Malone College or St Colms. In this case students from all three schools study two subjects in their own school but travel to a host school for the third subject.

“Under each of the three headings I see real achievements,” she continued.

“We have students who have top grades at A and AS levels in all subject categories - an indicator that if you have a dedicated staff and students who have a positive attitude to work and are prepared to give 100% they will be successful. I am so pleased for all of them.

“At AS level we also have the introduction of two new subjects to Fort Hill College in the guise of Art and Music.

“Both subjects have been historically strong at GCSE level - the norm being 100% pass rate at A*-C and I am delighted to see that they have had a positive start to post-16 provision with many of the students achieving A grades at this level.

“This will also encourage our History department who will be embarking on Post-16 provision for the first time in September,” she continued.

“To the A2 students - I hope they have the grades to see them go forward to the courses of their first choice and to the AS students - only one more year to go - keep your head down and success will be yours.

“I would also pay tribute to the teaching staff, in Fort Hill College, in Malone College and in St Colms, we have been working together for a few years now and the students are reaping the benefits of the staffs determination to meet the challenges of working with students across three sites. Well done to all,” concluded Mrs Getty.

At Wallace High School the Principal, Mrs Deborah O’Hare, is delighted with the results achieved by the students studying AS or A2 at Wallace this year.

She paid tribute to the efforts of the young people, their teachers and the support of their parents. “An impressive 55 students in Upper Sixth have achieved at least 1 A* grade.

“The A* grade this year has served an increasing number of our students very well indeed with Colin Matthews and Glenda Ward achieving 4 A* grades and Alison Bready, Octavian Focsa, Chloe Harris, Dean Irvine, Hamilton Orr and Joanne Stewart each having their hard work and exceptional ability rewarded with 3 A* grades.”

She recognised too that not all students are capable of achieving straight A grades and was keen to recognise the achievement of every young person.

Exciting

“The school saw an increase, not only, in the percentage of A* grades but also in the percentage of A-C grades achieved.

“On behalf of the staff and governors I wish our Upper Sixth leavers well in this next exciting chapter of their lives. It has been a privilege to work with them,” she continued.

Results in Lower Sixth were also pleasing. “Our young people have worked diligently this year,” she said.

“They have laid a solid foundation for their A2 results and have realistic grade benchmarks from which to apply to university in the next couple of months.

“An impressive 32 students achieved 3 or more A grades with 19 students achieving 4 A grades.”

Elizabeth Dickson, Principal of Friends’ School, said that she was delighted with the A level results, the best to date in school. “There had been a further increase in the numbers of top grades achieved by pupils this year,” said Mrs Dickson.

She commented that pupils had worked extremely hard and that they deserved great credit for how well they had done. “The high standards they had achieved reflected their determination and focus,” she added.

“Staff at Friends’ joined in congratulating those leaving school and wishing them well as they moved on to the next stage of their careers.”

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